Networking On and Offline to Build our Future By Jody Weyers, CVA
About Me Donor Recruitment: Blood Services (started 3-31-2015) Director of Volunteers & Communications for the American Red Cross NE WI Chapter -14 years. Graduate of UW-Green Bay. Major: Communications Loves social engagement. Known for my laugh. Love to travel, see live music, coffee, bike, volunteer, be involved in my community and I am a blood donor.
What do you hope to learn today?
Why do we Network? Build your brand/mission. Connect to new customers. Engage current customers. Build an everyday relationship with stakeholders. Opportunity to learn from others. Make Friends. Be inspired. Others?
How to Begin – take stock! What is your Social Engagement Philosophy: Personal & your company? What are the tools you need to be successful? What is your plan? How are you going to implement that plan? Have measurable goals. Find Balance.
Social Engagement Philosophy: personal My Personal Philosophy: be transparent. be real. Have fun. Engage in two sided conversations. Connect online and offline. Engage people with opportunities to get involved with their community.
Social Engagement Philosophy: Business Red Cross Business Philosophy: Meet, serve, & steward your community Increase relevance in your community Increase value to local stakeholders Build fabric of support in your community Help the Red Cross keep the human in humanitarian Increase revenue, course takers, blood donors and community participation.
Online Tools * Facebook Twitter Website Blog Linked In You Tube Flickr Instagram Hootsuite * You don’t have to be on them all. Use what works for you!
Social Networks: Mobile Vs Desktop
Offline Tools Pick up the phone. Write hand written Notes. Meet people for coffee/drink. Go to networking events. Volunteer in your community. Read – trade publications, local magazines, newspapers. Be present. Handwritten Notes Are a Rare Commodity. They're Also More Important Than Ever. http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2013/04/handwritten_notes_are_a_rare_c.html
How to Connect the Two Sharing is Caring: http://dashburst.com/sharing-is-caring-start-caring/
Facebook Two profiles (personal & professional). “friend” - volunteers, donors, media, people I connect with in the community. Focus on my passion – volunteer engagement. Highlight community engagement opportunities. Blood drives, special events, volunteer opportunities. I want to be known as the subject matter expert. Ask questions, use for public opinion. Mix of fun and informational.
Engagement - Facebook Post a Happy Birthday Message to your “friends”. Take it off-line: Send them a card in the mail. You see one of your “friends” won an award or recognized in the community. Take it off-line: Send them a card to congratulate them – cut out the article in the paper and send to them. Share an obituary of a volunteer who touched you and share a personal story. Take it off-line: Send a card and/or go to the funeral.
Engagement - Facebook I always have my camera/phone ready! Post pictures of volunteers in action Post pictures from events Share news articles your org or volunteers are in Post funny photos to engage your audience * Show impact Share relevant quotes * Check your agency photo release policy for events & individuals.
Fun Pictures – but have a point!
Twitter - Engagement You don’t have to follow everyone. Have a clear description of “who you are” & avatar (profile photo). Set up Lists (i.e.. media, local tweeters, Red Cross chapter, Red Cross tweeters, celebrities). Mix of engagement – RT, quote & own content. Professional Headshot.
My Twitter 14 year Red Crosser. DWOS14 Dancer. Known for laugh. Blood Donor. Love biking, wine, travel, social media & being a time guider. Opinions are mine
My Twitter
Twitter Engagement - Work
Connecting on & offline - Twitter Participate in Tweet-ups on topics you want to learn more about or ask questions of subject matter experts. WHAT IS A TWEET UP? It is an in-person meeting of Twitter users. It is also used to describe any in-person networking event that integrates social media.
Connecting on & offline - Twitter To learn more about Tweet-Ups: http://www.bethkanter.org/tweetups-tips/
Twitter Engagement – For Fun
Changes in Media Gone are the days of Press Releases (my opinion). Media uses facebook & twitter feeds to generate story ideas Agency can use to pitch stories. Comment on what is relevant to your agency. If I see a story about an over night fire, I will find out is/did Red Cross respond and then comment or tweet that we are assisting. Local reporter add tag line “Red Cross is assisting” to story in next segment. Say Thank you for sharing your story. Pitching Journalists via Social Media: http://www.brand.com/blog/2015/01/pitching-journalists-via-social-media/
LinkedIn – How I use I view linked in as a way to promote oneself & to identify yourself as a subject matter expert in your field. I found the value of LinkedIn when I was going through a job search. Networking is an essential aspect of today’s job search. In fact, 80 percent of today’s jobs are landed through networking. 10 Offline Networking Tips Beyond Social Media http://www.levo.com/articles/career-advice/offline-networking-tips
LinkedIn – Networking Example
Blogs www.redcrosswisnews.org
Wordpress Inexpensive - $60 a year for custom url, no adds & domain name. Place to share stories about your programs, donors, volunteers, events. Use FB, twitter, newsletter, news stories to link back to your blog. Reporting function built into program to measure visits & views.
Power of Social Engagement with Events Dancing with our Stars for the American Red Cross
Tools used Blog: www.redcrossdwosblog.org Voting site: http://www.crowdrise.com/DWOSNEW/ Twitter hashtag: #dwos14 & #dwos15 You Tube Flickr
Pulso Viral – free for nonprofits http://blog.pulsoviral.com/dancing-pulsoviral/
My Campaign “40 for 40” - raise $40,000 in honor of my 40th birthday. Raised $54,000! Contribute my success to my networking, social. engagement, and building a team of supporters to help. Being real.
My team!
Take-A-Way Message! Being this social is not for everyone! It takes work and time. Be Real. Have Fun. It is ok to disconnect (and a must sometimes). You don’t have to use every tool, but use what works for you.
Final take-a-way Five Rules for navigating social media Post with Purpose. Combine Elements to create rich public portrait of yourself. Remember it is not just about work. Sometimes less is more. Post your best, leave the rest. Source: Monsterworking.com
“Cheat Sheet” Links for Beginners Photo sizing, character count, description each platform. http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/01/social-network-cheat-sheet.jpg 10 Social Media Marketing Tips for Beginners. https://www.reliablesoft.net/10-social-media-marketing-tips-for-beginners/ Beginners Guide to Social Media. http://mashable.com/2012/06/12/social-media-beginners-guide/ Beginners Guide to Twitter. http://mashable.com/2012/06/05/twitter-for-beginners/
Clear the Clutter
How to find me: Facebook (search for) Jody Weyers Twitter: @jweyers2 E-mail: jody.weyers@redcross.org Cell: 920-619-8387 Personal Blog: http://timeguider.org/
QUESTIONS